Match-safe.



J. E. HILL.

MATCH SAFE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.28,1907.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

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JOHN E. HTLL, OF CENTER HARBOR, NEW HAMPSIHRE.

MATCH-SAFE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Application filed August 28, 1907. Serial No. 390,486.

To all whom it 'may conce/rn:

Be it known that I, J oHN E. HILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Center Harbor, county of Belknap, and State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvet ment iu Match-Safes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is z specification, like letters on the d 1awing representing like parts.

This invention has for its objectto provide a novel match safe which has combined therewith either a cigar rest or an ash tray or both.

I have shown my invention as embodied in that type of match safe which operates to automatically light the matches as they are withdrawn therefrom. Match safes of this cha acter are usually formed with two sides spaced apart su'tiiciently to receive the matches therebetween with the head end of the matches between the sides, and the opposite end of the matches protruding. One or both sides are provided near the edge with material for igniting the match, so that when the match is withdrawn therefrom the contact of the head of the match with said igniting device results in striking the match.

V here my invention is employed in a match safe of this type, I provide one side of the match safe with a cigar rest so that when the match safe is thrown on its side, the cigar rest is in position to support a cigar. This cigar rest is preferably made foldable so that it may be folded flat against the side of the match safe when the latter is to be placed in a persons pocket, and thus the cigar holder feature does ,not interfere at all. with the ordinary use of the match safe.

I may also if desired pivot to one side of the match safe an ash tray which can be folded closely againstthe match safe when the tray is not iu use. or which may be opened out to provide a receptacle for collecting ashes as desired.

I will first describe one embodiment of my invention and then point out the novel features thereof in the appended claims.

ln the drawings, Figure l is an edge view of a match safe embodying my invention with the cigar rest and ash tray folded; Fig. 2 is a side view with the ash tray opened out, showing the cigar rest folded; FiO. 3 is a view showing the cigar rest and ash tray opened up and in position for use; Figs. #t

showing the cigar rest opened out for use and folded respectively.

The match holder or match safe herein shown is formed from a piece of metal bent into U-shape to present the two sides 3 and 4, said sides being separated from each other a distance substantially equal to the thickness or diameter of a match. The edges 5 and of the sides are disconnected so that matches can be inserted between them, as shown in Fig. l, with the head of the match between the sides and the opposite end of the match protruding. One or both of the sides may be provided with guard lips T which extend across the o pen space between the edges S of the sides and prevent the matches from falling out laterally. The inner faces of the lsides may be roughencd near the edges 5 and (3, as shown at l0. or may be provided with some roughened material at this point so that when any match is withdrawn, it will be ignited by engagement of its head with the roughcned surface 10.

In accordance with my invention l provide a match safe of the above-described or some other suitable construction with a cigar rest so that the match safe may have the added function of a device for sustaining a cigar. In order that this cigar rest feature may not interfere with carrying the match safe in a persons pocket, l propose to make the cigar rest a foldable one so that when not in use it may be folded against the side of the match safe. ln the present embodiment of my invention, this cigar rest comprises two eigar-sustaining members l2, each provided with a conaved seat portion t3, pivoted to one side 3 of the match safe in such a way that the cigar rest may be folded down against the match safe. as shown in Fig. i2, or may be raised to stand at right angles therefrom, as shown in Fig. 2;. lYhen in the latter position, the members l2 are operative to support a cigar l5. as will be obvious. and as clearly shown in Fig. 3. l prefer also to so hinge these cigar-sustaining members to the side that' they will be yieldingly held either in their folded position or in their operative position. One simple way of thus pivoting them is by forming each member with the trunnion portions 1G, which trunnion portions are preferably flat-sided, and slitting the side of the cigar holder at 17 and striking up the aud 5 are sections on the line .ca -m, Fig. 2, i slit portion to form bearings for the trunnions. The fiat sides of the trunnions are so arranged that they stand parallel with the side 8 of the match safe when the cigar sustainers are eit-her in their folded position or in their operative position, and the resiliency of the material of the side is suliicient to yielding'ly hold each cigar sustainer in either one of its two positions 'while permitting it to be swung' from one to the other. Any other suitable way of hinging the cigar sustainers to the side of the match safe may be employed, however, without departing from my invention.

ln addition to the cigar rest above described, l may also if desired make the match safe with an ash tray, and as shown in the drawings, 2t) is the ash tray which is hinged to the side 3 in any suitable way, as at 2l, and which is provided with the resilient catch adapted to engage over the end Q8 of the match safe when the ash tray is folded. The ash tray is preferably made slightly dishing, said ash tray being hinged to the match safe so that when it is folded against the latter, as shown in Fig. l, the hollow or dished side thereof willibe toward the match safe. Then the ash tray part of the device is to be used, said ash tray can be swung into the position shown in Fig. 3, in which position, said ash tray is ready to receive cigar ashes, matches or other refuse. lhe ash tray is of such a construction that when it is folded against the `side of the match safe, it takes up very little room and does not interfere in any way with the carrying of the match safe in a personspocket.

ln the preferred embodiment of my invention the ash tray is hinged to the match safe in such a way that when folded it covers the cigar rest but this is not essential to my invention as the cigar rest and ash -tray might be hinged to different sides of the device.

hiy invention is especially adapted for use in connection with a match safe of the type herein shown because such a match safe has flat sides and forms a steady support to sustain the cigar rest and ash tray in position when the latter is opened out, as shown in Fig. 3.

The cigar rest and ash tray features, however, might be applied to other forms of match safes without departing from my invention.

When the cigar rest and ash tray are folded against the match safe, as shown in Fig. l, it is possible to slip stamps, car tickets, or similar `devices between the side 3 of the match safe and either the cigarsustaining members or the ash tray and thus the device may be used as a stamp or ticket holder.

l have not described herein all forms of my invention but have selected merely one embodiment thereof for the purpose of illustrating' the invention.

Having' fully described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is :W

l. The combination with a match safe having two opposed sides, of two independent cigar-susta-ining members pivoted to onel side'of the match safe near the ends thereof, each member adapted to fold over flatly against the side of the match safe with the 'upper end thereof directed toward the center of the match safe, and an ash tray pivoted to one side of the match safe at one end thereof and adapted to fold over the folded cigar-sustaining members.

2. The combination with a match safe having two opposed sides, of two cigarsustaining members pivoted to one of the sides to fold thereagainst, and an ash tray pivoted to said side of the match safe and adapted when folded to cover the folded cigar-sustaining members and when opened out being situated in line with said members.

3. The combination with a match safe having two pairs of slits formed in'its sides, of two cigar-sustaining members each having flat-sided trnnnions inserted between the slit portions of the match safe, the resiliency of said slit :portions serving to hold said cigar-sustaining members either in their folded position or in a position to support a cigar.

4. The combination with a match safe having' two parallel sides between which matches are sustained, of a foldable cigar rest sustained by one side of the match safe, and an ash tray also pivoted to said side of the match safe and adapted when folded to cover the cigar rest.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing' witnesses.

JOHN E. HILL.

lVitnesses LoUis C. SMITH, BERTHA F. Hausnr. 

